Wireless

The new Google phone makes an appearance on Twitter.

(Credit: Cory O'Brien via Twitter)

Updated at 5 p.m. PST with additional details and at 10 a.m. PST December 13 with photo of the phone.

A blog post from a Google executive on Saturday morning dropped hints that the company would release a Google Android phone of its own.

In the post, Mario Queiroz, a Google vice president of product management, said the company had developed a "mobile lab" device that "combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android." According to Queiroz, Google has distributed the device to Google employees worldwide so that they could test the new technology and help improve it.

Quieroz's announcement came only a few hours after reported sightings of the device. CNET TV Associate Producer Jason Howell, who had a very brief hands-on with the gadget Friday night and first relayed the news on Twitter, confirms that the "mobile lab" device is an HTC phone running the Android 2.1 operating system.

"I knew it was an HTC device," Howell said. "It looked like the Touch, but was a lot thinner...it was a slick-looking thing and very nice." He also spotted a trackball and four standard Android menu controls, and he said the display was "supersharp" and rivaled that on the Motorola Droid.

Howell didn't get a chance to dig into the handset's specs or detail the changes from the 2.1 update, but he noticed animated wallpapers, slight visual enhancements to the user interface, and a camera on the rear face that resembles the HTC Touch Pro 2. Curiously, Howell said he didn't see any Google logo on the handset. TechCrunch published additional, though unconfirmed, details, including a Snapdragon processor, an OLED touch screen, and a voice-to-text feature, while TheUnlockr posted leaked photos.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the handset will be called the Nexus One. Although HTC made the hardware, the software and user interface is all Google, from the applications to the "look and feel of each screen."

The Journal also said Google will begin selling the device early next year, directly to consumers, thus bypassing the traditional carrier channel. As an unlocked GSM device, the Nexus One could be used with T-Mobile or AT&T, though it's unclear which carrier's 3G bands the handset will support. During his brief tour, Howell wasn't able to test the performance, but he said that the Nexus One he handled was running on an AT&T SIM card.

Reports that Google would release its own Android phone first appeared earlier this year. The move is significant, as it could pit Google against the carriers that it so far has used to distribute existing Android phones. Also, without a carrier contract and subsequent service rebates the Nexus One could cost a few hundred dollars. For those reasons, I was a little skeptical when I first heard the rumor, so count me wrong on this one.

After a string of weak quarters, mobile phone maker HTC is eyeing more of the same for the current quarter but is hoping for better results next year.

The Taiwan-based company expects sales for the fourth quarter to drop to between 40 billion and 42 billion Taiwan dollars (between $1.23 billion and $1.3 billion), around 15 percent lower than in last year's fourth quarter.

Competition from other smartphones, especially the iPhone 3GS released this summer, has tempered demand for HTC's products, which include the Hero, Droid Eris, Tilt 2, MyTouch 3G, Snap, and Ozone.

HTC's (from left) Hero, Droid Eris, Tilt 2, and Pure.

(Credit: HTC)

Prices on smartphones have also dropped this year and are likely to continue to fall, putting further pressure on HTC, which trails the market in fourth place behind Nokia, Apple, and Research In Motion.

The company's third quarter continued its down streak, with full results reported earlier this week. For the quarter the ended September 30, HTC watched its sales drop 10 percent to 34.01 billion Taiwan dollars from last year's third quarter. Earnings fell 18.5 percent to 5.7 billion Taiwan dollars.

In a conference call this week, HTC outlined its current business and forecast for the near term. The U.S. market for HTC 's Android smartphones has enjoyed strong growth, the company said, but European sales remain sluggish due to a lack of brand awareness.

Market researcher IDC recently reported that HTC sold 2.4 million smartphones in the third quarter, a gain of 14.7 percent over last year's third quarter. But Android sales for that quarter were lower than expected, mostly due to tougher competition from other manufacturers and are likely to stay down in the fourth quarter.

The company has been striving to increase consumer awareness of its brand in both the U.S. and Europe, a goal it plans to push further next year by boosting its marketing budget.

For the holiday-shopping season, HTC will be trying to grab more shelf space and sales for its new Android Hero smartphone, released last month. Beyond that, the company is looking for strong sales volume from its overall line of Android smartphones, including the G1, Magic, Tattoo, and the new Droid Eris.

Despite its new focus on Google's Android operating system, HTC said that its Windows Mobile phones remain vital products. The company still ships more Windows Mobile smartphones than any other manufacturer and is looking to enhance their performance and touch capabilities in the near term. Hitting U.S. shores next year will be the new HD2 Windows Mobile smartphone, which has already had positive reviews.

Big lines didn't form outside most Verizon Wireless stores the day the new Droid hit the market.

(Credit: Marguerite Reardon/CNET)

NEW YORK--The new Motorola Droid got a sleepy reception on Friday morning when it officially went on sale across the country in Verizon Wireless stores starting at 7 a.m. in some places.

From New York to San Francisco, most stores around the country had few if any lines when doors opened Friday morning. There was a handful of people waiting outside at the Verizon Wireless store on West 34th Street here in Manhattan. And about 20 people waited in line outside a store here on Sixth Avenue, as well as at one in Clifton, N.J., Verizon officials said.

CNET reporters in San Francisco reported they saw only about 15 customers lined up for the device before a Verizon Wireless store opened there Friday.

The scene was somewhat more lively last night, when Verizon Wireless opened its West 34th Street in New York City from midnight to 2 a.m. About 100 eager Droid customers were in line when the store opened last night. Verizon spokesman David Samberg said the company sold 85 Droids in the first 45 minutes the store was open on Thursday night.

But even though the Droid didn't stir enough enthusiasm to get people to stand outside on a cold November morning, there appeared to be a steady stream of customers in several Verizon Wireless stores. Many customers were interested in the Droid, while some were checking out the new HTC Android Eris, which also went on sale Friday.

Lines are overrated
Samberg said that a lack of a long line or shortage of devices is actually a good thing. And he urged people to not prejudge the phone's success on that alone.

Consumer demand for smartphones seems to be unstoppable.

In the third quarter, vendors shipped a record 43.3 million devices, up 4.2 percent from last year's third quarter and up 3.2 percent from this year's second quarter, says a report released Thursday by market researcher IDC.

(Credit: IDC)

Among smartphone vendors, Nokia still enjoys the greatest market share, according to IDC, with a 37.9 percent slice for the third quarter. ... Read more

As Apple and Research In Motion have won a greater share in the Wi-Fi handset market over the past year, Nokia has lost share.

Though Nokia is still the leading vendor for dual-mode smartphones (Wi-Fi and cellular), its market share dropped to 35 percent in the second quarter, compared with 50 percent in the same period a year ago, according to a report released Monday from In-Stat.

The report "Wi-Fi in Mobile Phones: Dual Mode Becomes the In Thing" tracked the major Wi-Fi phone vendors, including Nokia, Apple, Research In Motion, HTC, and Samsung. Among those, Apple has enjoyed the greatest growth in market share, from 3 percent in the second quarter of 2008 to 20 percent in this year's second quarter.

Market share for both RIM and Samsung has also weakened the past few quarters, though less so than Nokia's. RIM's 15.7 percent chunk of the market for the second quarter of the year was down from its first-quarter high of 17.6 percent. Samsung's share has been relatively flat but usually dips a bit from the first to the second quarter, notes In-Stat.

In sheer unit volume, Nokia has done well the past few quarters, with 9.3 million Wi-Fi handsets shipped in the second quarter of the year compared with Apple's 5.2 million shipments. However, Nokia's shipments have dropped since the first quarter of 2008 when it saw 12 million units fly out the door. Over the same period, Apple, RIM, and HTC have seen their shipments grow.

As the No. 2 Wi-Fi handset vendor, Apple has also outsold third-place RIM in dual-mode phone shipments, says In-Stat. Though RIM still has a larger market presence, not all of its Blackberry devices include Wi-Fi. HTC and Samsung rounded out In-Stat's list as the fourth and fifth top Wi-Fi handset vendors, respectively.

(Credit: In-Stat)

The report also detailed the growth of the Wi-Fi smartphone market overall. The industry shipped 37 million handsets in 2007, and 103 million units in 2008. That rise is because of several factors, notes In-Stat, including greater functionality, lower prices, and carrier promotions. Initially targeted to the business market, smartphones are also now an entrenched hit with consumers, which In-Stat attributes to the success of the iPhone.

Wi-Fi handset shipments are expected to rise just 25 percent to 128.4 million units for 2009. That compares with a nearly 180 percent jump in 2008.

But In-Stat sees gains ahead. By 2010, the growth rate is likely to climb to 43 percent. Though that rate may not be sustainable, it should remain strong in the coming years. Wi-Fi will also become more prevalent in mobile phones. This year, 11.5 percent of handsets include Wi-Fi; by 2012, that figure will grow to 25 percent, predicts In-Stat.

To compile the report, In-Stat relied on its own data as well as interviews with Wi-Fi equipment vendors.

(Credit: Engadget)

New leaked documents suggest all the Droid Eris grumblings we've heard were true: it should launch November 6, and it will supposedly run $99 after rebate. That's pretty cheap considering it matches the specs of the $180 Hero.

What we've heard about the HTC Eris being a slightly reshaped Hero is pretty much right. The spec sheet claims it's packing a 528MHz Qualcomm, a 320x480 screen, and Android 1.5, exactly what you'll get in the Hero. There's also mention of a bundled 8GB MicroSD card. Guess I shouldn't have expected a 16GB card in a sub-$100 phone, but a guy can dream.

Even though it's underspec'd compared with the Droid, I'm actually excited about this phone. I love Sense UI, and I don't feel like I need a full hardware keyboard. Plus, assuming the Droid Eris mimics the Hero's software as well as it does hardware, it should have multitouch, which the Droid doesn't do. The Eris might not be new and exciting like the Droid, but I think it still deserves some love.

Dan and I were talking about how one of Sprint's flagship phones, what was the premiere Android phone before the Droid came along, will be Verizon's el cheapo Android handset come Friday. The Hero more than warrants the $180 Sprint charges, but Verizon sees it as a last-gen device only worthy of last-gen pricing. That, to us, shows the carrier is really planning to push Android hardware to the next level.

(Credit: Engadget)

This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.

HTC Pure

(Credit: HTC)

With the launch of the first round of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices just a day away, AT&T threw its hat into the ring and announced two of its own Windows phones, the HTC Pure and the HTC Tilt2.

The Pure is a rebranded version of the HTC Touch Diamond2, which we took a look at earlier this year, and sports some design changes and, of course, the new features of Windows Mobile 6.5. This includes the Microsoft's MyPhone backup service, an improved Internet Explore Mobile browser that offers Flash Lite support and better navigation tools, and support for Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which will launch later this year.

In addition, the mobile OS offers a more touch-friendly user interface with a new Today screen, Start menu, and Lock screen. As part of the HTC Touch series, however, you can choose to stick with the company's TouchFlo 3D interface.

Designed to have both consumer and business appeal, the HTC Pure features a slick design and offers a 3.2-inch WVGA touch screen with both a gravity and light sensor. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G support are all onboard as well as a 5-megapixel camera and a music player. The Pure is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

HTC Tilt2

(Credit: HTC)

Meanwhile for AT&T's power business customers, they'll finally get their turn at their own version of the HTC Touch Pro2 in the coming weeks. Dubbed the HTC Tilt2 (and obviously the successor to the AT&T Tilt), the smartphone has a leg up on T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon's version of the smartphone by shipping with Windows Mobile 6.5 out of the box.

The rest of the features are similar to the other models, which include a 3.6-inch WVGA tilting touch screen, a full QWERTY keyboard, and HTC's Straight Talk Technology for improved speakerphone quality. The HTC Tilt2 is expected to be available in the coming weeks and will cost $299.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

The HTC Hero phone will have Flash support built in.

(Credit: HTC)

Marking a departure from the world of iPhone, HTC's new Android-based Hero phone will also come with the ability to handle Flash elements that adorn many Web sites and power YouTube video.

Adobe Systems announced on Wednesday that its Flash Player will be built into the HTC phone, an important step in the company's efforts to spread Flash to mobile phones. The phone, one of several from HTC to use Google's open-source operating system, is scheduled to ship in Europe starting in July and in Asia and North America later in the year.

However, the initial version won't match Flash Player 10, the current version for PCs, which can run programs written with ActionScript 3. Instead, the Android version will handle ActionScript 2 applications written for Flash Player 9 chores, Adobe said. HTC is participating in the Open Screen Project to bring Flash Player 10 to mobile phones through over-the-air updates, though, so Adobe expects fuller Flash support eventually.

"Flash Player 10 for mobile platforms that include Android is expected to be available in the first half of 2010. We are working on delivering a beta of Flash Player 10 in the fourth quarter of 2009," the company said in a statement.

The Flash support will be built into the phone and not available as a download for other Android phone users, Adobe said.

Just having a check mark in a feature list isn't enough to outflank a competitor, but Flash is a significant feature on the Web. It powers many games, streaming videos, and dynamic stock charts, and other elaborate features on Web pages. And Flash is also used for many more dynamic advertisements.

Adobe demonstrated Flash on Android in an online video Wednesday, showing off the technology for watching a trailer at Yahoo Movies, playing the Penguin Swing game, and selecting a region on travel site Expedia. Double-clicking on the Flash element on the Web page runs it full screen.

Apple's iPhone doesn't run Flash, though Adobe would like to see it there and has been developing a version.

"We are developing Flash player for the iPhone. To release software on the iPhone requires Apple's agreement. We have to make it work great, and need to get their agreement to have it released," said Adobe chief technology officer Kevin Lynch in a 2008 interview. "We would love to see Flash on the iPhone."

The HTC Hero has the signature HTC curve at the bottom.

(Credit: HTC)

At a press event in London on Wednesday, HTC unveiled its latest Google Android device, the HTC Hero, featuring a new user interface called HTC Sense.

The HTC Hero will be available in Europe starting in July and in Asia later this summer, while a "distinct" North American version will ship later in 2009. However, pricing was not announced at this time.

Like the T-Mobile G1 and Google Ion/HTC Magic, the HTC Hero has the signature curve at the bottom, but it's a bit more svelte at 4.4 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide and 0.5 inch thick. In addition, it features a 3.2-inch HVGA touch screen with an antifingerprint screen coating.

However, the real beauty of the smartphone lies beneath the surface. The new Sense UI allows users to customize the device to their needs and give them more access to the information they want at a glance through widgets, customized profiles, and consolidated views of all communication with a contact, whether it be e-mail, text or multimedia message, Facebook status updates, or photos. In addition, HTC said that all of its future devices will use Sense UI.

Other highlights of the HTC Hero include GPS, a digital compass, gravity sensor, a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD expansion slot. A dedicated search button on the phone provides a more contextual search, looking through not only your contact list and e-mail but also Twitter and other areas of the device.

Finally, similar to the Asia-specific HTC Magic, the Hero is not a "Google experience" phone, so HTC has been able to add Microsoft Exchange support to the handset, which will be huge for corporate customers.

CNET's David Carnoy was at HTC's New York event and got video of the HTC Hero in action, which you can check out to the above. CNET UK's Flora Graham was at the London press conference and posted a hands-on photo gallery with first impressions. For more information of the Hero's specs, check out HTC's Web site and let us know what you think of the device below.

HTC Hero hands-on photos